FO Friday - the hubba-hubba edition

I will apologize in advance if the pictures are a bit blurry. Churchable was in the middle of dinner prep and only took the time to snap a few. My face was blurry in many so that is why it is missing.

Pattern: Notorious by Annie Modesitt in Romantic Hand Knits Raveled here
Yarn: Berroco Comfort in Olive (2 skeins) for the body & Berroco Comfort DK held double in white (1 skein) for the sleeves
Needles: Knit picks Harmony Interchangeables US 9 on the body, US 8, 9, & 10 on the sleeves

Mods: Wow this one got the mods up the wazzu. I did not start to mess with the construction till the underbust area. I did shorten from hip to waist by 1 inch and waist to underbust by 6". Since I really liked the idea of the I-cord at the front, I continued it around the back so that I could also run the cording around the back for extra support. I added HBD (aka short rows) to the front so that my girls would have room especially since I had seen some projects on ravelry where the underbust cut the boobs in half. After the HBD, I knit in the round for 1" to what I called the underarms. The back was knit in stockinette to match the front of the garment (picture below). I did all the decreases the same and the height from underarms in the pattern. The front was knit and ripped twice because the first time I knit it and added a sleeve. I tried it on at this point to see if anything was a miss. It was. I would have to be an H cup and try to channel a medieval bar wench who did not mind showing everything. So I messed around to figure out what the fix was. I realized that I needed to remove 18 stitches from the front to achieve proper coverage. So I removed those 18 stitches by decreasing on every row at both ends. The sleeves were also a bit strange they turned out narrower than the picture. I added 2 rows before each short row set and 2 rows before the bind off for a total of 6 rows. I still did not have flutter sleeves but I had run out of yarn so I had to live with the results. I used cording for the underbust and the center rueshing.

Facts to remember: Double check that your center stitches are marked properly before you start the HBD instead of an inch after you have finished them. Also that the sleeves might not always turn out the way the picture says they should. If I made this again (which I doubt because who needs this much sexiness in another garment) I would knit the 35" like I did for the lower half and switch to the 25" for the bust area. Both the front and the back were a bit loose at the size written.

Things I Love: How sexy I look. This was knit with the Sexy Knitters Club KAL so I think I got the results everyone was looking for.

FO Friday - 3 for the price of one

My hair behaving just right

Pattern: A Better Bucket (PDF) by Amy Swenson Raveled here
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted 92 grams (199 yards) Burgundy
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm) Harmony Interchangeable
Mods: Used solaris' mod for a larger brim and hat so that I could fit all my hair under it. I also knit the crown an inch shorter because it looked a bit too long.
Facts to remember: This is a super simple hat. I tried the provisional cast on to another needle instead of waste yarn, but the cable kept getting in the way. Also I waited a whole week to sew on the ribbon and button. I should realize that avoiding finishing can take longer than the finishing.
Things I Love: Everything. The yarn is cozy, the flair is just right, the button allows me to put any flower in it or leave it empty, the color looks great on me.

Close-up of the button with flower

Ohhh look another plain black hat for Matt

Pattern: A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend by Stephanie Nicole Raveled here
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted 53 grams (115 yards) Black
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) Harmony Interchangeable
Mods: I knit this exactly like the previous hat except to the full outer length since the first hat was a little bit short.
Facts to remember: That a guys head is longer than you think
Things I Love: The yarn of course.
Reaction of the recipient: Well hopefully just as good as the first hat went over.

Argh me matey

Looking all Airy

Pattern: Koolhaas by Jared Flood Raveled here
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted 64 grams (139 yards) Tortuga
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm) Harmony Interchangeable
Mods: I knit the man's size on US 8s and the pattern was exactly the measurements of the pattern.
Facts to remember: I need to remember that there can be hazards in a photo shoot. Click on the final photo for all the details.
Things I Love: I loved this so much more than the glazed carrot Koolhaas (scroll down)
Reaction of the recipient: We will see when he gets it.

Click to find out why this is here

FO Friday - What is real here?

Pattern: Beet by Norah Gaughan Raveled here
Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK - Lovage 2761-61yds, Rabe 2754 -50yds, Teaberry 2730-29yds,

Beetroot 2760-25yds

Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) & US 6 (4.0mm) knit pick's harmony interchangables.

Mods: I did not do anything different unless you consider threading pipe cleaners through the stems of the leaves.

Facts to remember: That the pattern might suggest something not possible like stuffing the body of the beet with stuffing and a squeaker after finishing the body. I placed the squeaker in the beet after the straight knitting portion. It might have been nice to have a casing that leads from the stems up the leaf so that pipe cleaners can be threaded through so that they have the stiffness of an actual beet with leaves.

Things I Love: How little yarn this takes. The fun photos that i can take with this piece and what pictures will be taken by our zany friends when they get this gift.

Reaction of the recipient: This is to be determined. We are giving this as a baby present to our wedding photographer and his wife who is a chef. The baby is due in June so we might have to wait till the baby is born.

FO Friday - The End of the endpaper

Pattern: Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang Raveled here
Yarn: Knit picks Gloss in (3/4th skein) Woodland Sage & (2/3rds skein) Serengeti
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) knit pick's harmony fixed circular for the body & US 2 (2.75mm) knit pick's harmony fixed circular for the ribbing. One bottom ribbing was done in US 0 (2.0mm).

Mods: I used a different tubular cast-on because I could not figure out the suggested one. Otherwise I think I knit these according to the pattern. There was not much to mess with.

Facts to remember: That I need to remember which hand has what color. I knit my color work with the main color in my right and the contrasting color in the left so that I can knit faster. I have done this since my first project. I did not know this was not standard. I did noticed that there is one row at the palm of one mitten which was knit with the strands switched. Most likely me knitting in the car in the dark. Also if increases are made at the edges, a lifted bar increase or a L-rink looks better. One mitt used lifted bar increases and the other I could not remember what I used since it had been 5 months since I did the first mitt, so I used a backwards loop M1. The backwards loop M1 is messier looking than the other mitt.

Things I Love: They fit like a dream. The silk /wool blend which is not too warm or heavy but allows me to do a lot with them on. If I fold the top ribbing inside, I can knit without snagging the mitts. Which is perfect because I knit these so that I would have mitts to wear in the house when it was cold. I like to keep the heat down because we have central air and when I am designing all day I tend to sit in one spot. I find it a bit silly to heat the whole house when I am only using a small corner.

Bobbie: Do you recognize your sweater?

FO Friday - Monkeying around

Pattern: Monkey socks by Cookie A Raveled here
Yarn: Butternut Woolens Super Sock Yarn (this yarn is being discontinued so no extra facts)
Needles: US 2 (2.75mm) knitpicks harmony fixed circular

Mods: I knit a short row heel with the pattern flowing down into the heel. Since I took my FO pics this week, I was unable to get my heel in the picture. I also allowed the pattern to descend into the toe a bit more. I really had fun working the decreases in the toe along with the pattern.

Facts to remember: You might "know" the pattern but do you really. I somehow forgot half the pattern and made the repeat about half as many rows. I kept wondering why the pattern was flowing so fast and stiffly. Then I figured it out and groaned as I ripped out 2 repeats of the first sock. My DPN gauge and magic loop gauge are just a bit off, enough that one sock pooled and the other barber poled. Also I need to remember there is a too tight sock gauge. I first tried this on US 1 (2.5mm) needles and was confused at the cardboard texture. I think it did not help that I was knitting a woolie wool in Houston as the weather begins to heat up. The yarn was more enjoyable to knit once I was back in the NW.

Things I Love: Doing a simple easy pattern that allows me to design while knitting and that flew off my needles when I neglected it so much.

Reaction of the recipient: I don't know yet, but these and a whole mess of packages are being shipped out on Monday.

FO Friday - Catrack Cowl

So the design juices have been flowing and last Wednesday I could not sleep so I cast on a new thing. Let me introduce the Cattrack Cowl. Perfect mix of yarn and pattern.

Many of you might be watching the cowl craze sweep the internet. Back in November, I knit a giant swatch that have been wearing all the time. I love it so much that I put away all the scarfs. I thought it was high time I bring another cowl into my collection. I will be sharing it with ya'll as soon as the test knitters finish with it.

This cowl is knit using the twined knitting technique. My husband saw it as I neared completion and felt that it looked like Cat tracks up on the mountains. We love winter sports but don't always have time to go up to the mountains and enjoy the snow. Now I have a reminder of the trails that we enjoy.

Now you probably wonder what happens to those pictures that don't make the cut, I mess with them to have fun. See don't you like the cool funkiness of it all.

FO Friday - the simple but great

Pattern: A Hat fit for a Boyfriend by Stephanie Nicole Raveled here
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted 1/2 skein (100g/216 yds) in Black. (100% merino wool)
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) Knitpick's Interchangeables.

Mods: This pattern was super easy it was so hard to change anything. The pattern as written finishes at the tip of the ears. In it there is a suggested mod if the ears are to be covered. It said to knit for an extra inch. Since the recipient has almost the same size head as mine, I felt that it only needed an extra 1/2" to be long enough.

Facts to remember: Malabrigo hats are so cozy you don't want to give them to the owners because they are just so perfect.

Things I Love: What is there not to love about malabrigo and a simple but perfect hat pattern?

Reaction of the recipient: He loved it even though I should have gone for the whole extra 1" to the pattern. When he came by yesterday, he was wearing it. Just so you know this hat maybe for a boyfriend but it was knit for a friend. Actually the friend who worked up my website.

Aren't these decreases great?

FO Friday - another long awaited item

The sock decided since it had traveled this far across the country that it would stop for a dip. It was enjoying the warmth compared to its birthplace up in the cold wet pacific northwest. Here in Texas it is pleasant and warm. It makes a wool sock feel that it is not needed so it can have a life of leisure.

This life of leisure means sunning itself beside the pool. It made sure to drink enough water so as not to dehydrate its wool parts. It thinks, "people should treat me with respect and love me for who I am, I am a wool/silk sock with bold-jewel tones and a complicated lace pattern."

This big headed sock saunters over to the pool again. This time it wants to do a fancy dive into the pool, but wait it sees a sign that warns of head damage if a dive is done. The sock shakes its wee little head and climbs back on its pool chair. As it is taking a swig of its lemon spiked water, some evil person grabs it and sets it next to a bunch of stuff to be stuffed in a box for a long trip to ......

Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A Raveled here
Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Co Silky Sock 1 skein 100g/ 360 yds (70% wool, 20 % silk, 10 % nylon)
Needles: Knitpicks circular US 1 (2.25 mm) & Us 1.5 (2.50mm)

Mods: I knew I needed to shrink these socks from a US 9 woman's foot to a US 2.5 foot. The method to my madness was to take a yarn that knit up in a micro gauge and just knit the pattern as written. I knit the lace rib portion in a US 1.5 and the sole of the sock in US 1. It turned out perfectly and it fits over my foot a bit snuggly so it will fit perfectly.

Facts to remember: Check your gauge and don't get so high and mighty. I thought I could shrink it by using this skinny yarn and US 0 (2.00mm). That for sure turned out too tight at a whopping 5" circumference it was a no go. My second attempt came up preschooler sized. The third attempt fit but it was a snug fit. I was not prepared to send someone a sock that needed to be tugged heavily on especially one with a small child. At this point I knew that whatever I did next it would fit. So my fourth attempt came out just perfect.

Things I Love: The yarn frogged like a dream, which must mean it will wear beautifully. It never saw signs of distress after all those repeated froggings. The colors pooled just right. A perfect sock in my mind.

Reaction of the recipient: All that is left is to find out my pals response. She should be receiving them soon.

FO Friday - 3 snacks for the price of one.

Pattern: Fiona Baby Sundress (pdf) by Staci Perry Raveled here
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease 1.7 skeins (100grams / 207yards) 50% Cotton /50% Acrylic
Needles: Crystal Palace US 7

Mods: I did not do a CC or the i-cord straps. Plus I forgot my cable needle and had to improvise.

Facts to remember: Check that there is enough ribbon to make all 4 straps the same color. Yes I only have two of the cute lime wedge ribbon straps. I had enough for 3 but not 4.

I hate Cotton-ease. I don't know about the rest of you but it taxes my hands like no other and it is not that it is made of cotton. Alisa that I am knitting up right now is made from Cotlin which is definitely not forgiving. It has to be something about the acrylic. I am hoping that the Comfy that I ordered from Knitpicks will be better on my hands. I already picked out a pattern for it to try it out.

Things I Love: I loved the annoying pleats they totally make this dress. I would love to make this again for another kid if I find a better yarn.

Reaction of the recipient: Well she is about 6 months old and was crawling in the opposite direction so I am going to say undecided. Her mother loved it and gave me a hug. This is the second baby gift I have given them since the first was wool and the mom was a bit scared to wash it so never used it.

Since I still had extras of this yarn and I did not want it hanging around, I looked on ravelry for a pattern and came up with this quicky.

Pattern: Basketweave Headband by Carissa Browning Raveled here
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease 1/3 skein for both (100grams / 207yards) 50% Cotton /50% Acrylic
Needles: Crystal Palace US 7 DPNs

Mods: None I did not have enough time to come up with any mods.

Facts to remember: That I knit these because they were so fast

Things I Love: These were fast. I had 2 done in less than 24 hours and that included sleeping for 10 and going to church and well let's just say very little actually needle time.

Reaction of the recipient: I gave one to the mother who the baby dress went to and the other is for my Coffee Swap partner. It is one of the Spring Handmade things.

There you have it. I jumped into PS3: Earth with both feet and finished 3 projects in less than one week. We will see how much further I will get.

FO Friday - Arwen is finally done

Look at those rain drops just hanging out.

So Bud came for 2 days of her Spring Break and I roped her into posing in her Cardigan for Arwen / Christmas present 07 / Big Green Monster. I know a few of your have heard me harrumphing about this project and that I was super frustrated because I am so much faster than 3 1/2 months for a sweater. Well I love the results but I really hate knitting those reversible cables. Some people hate twisted ribbing but I have found I love twisted ribbing because it requires less hand movement and I can speed through a project. That alone proves that every pattern has someone who really really loves it while some hate it with a passion.

The elfen godess allowing the rain to kiss her

Pattern: Cardigan for Arwen by Kate Gilbert Interweave Knits Winter 2006 also on KG's site
Yarn: Knitpicks Swish Worsted 13 skeins (100% Superwash Merino Wool) 50 grams/110 yds
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony US 8

Mods: I lengthened the sweater to 23". I knit the back and BO but the once the fronts had reached the shoulder BO, I unpicked the back BO and did a 3 needle BO. I liked that result so much better. I then knit the sleeves and seamed everything up. Lastly I did the hood all in one piece and then grafted the top together. I wish I had seen this mod because I might have done it instead for an easier fit, but Kate Gilbert does have a new version on her website which she added somethings like sleeve mods and length and has fitting tips.

Facts to remember: I hate reversible cables but love the look. I remember reading an article by Lily Chin about 7 years ago on reversible cables and I thought the idea was genius. I wanted to do all cable projects in reversible cables. Well loving the idea and actually doing them is two different stories. I now have done them and I still love the idea but not sure if I ever want to do them again. I still am intrigued by the Inside Outside socks from the STR 2007 sock club.

I also need to remember that I might know that the measurement is right and will fit the person but they might like some ease in the sleeve. My SIL is a 13" bicep circumference and it is a bit snug. It is great with a tank on but anything with sleeves creates arm bumps. This is also something I need to be better about in my patterns. I think I add enough ease to the sleeves and at times they are just right. (I also suspect that CYC bicep measurements are a bit slim)

Things I Love: The cables, the hood, the length and well how cute she looks in the sweater I decided to knit her Thanksgiving of 2006 because what would any teenager who loved the Lord of the Rings, taught herself elvish (reading, writing and speaking) and has several movie replicas of Arwen want, but this cardigan.

Reaction of the recipient: She loved it and it fit perfectly after a good blocking. Thank goodness for gauge swatches that don't lie. Yes you read that. I did a swatch and it did not lie.

The rain was being annoying and would not stop till like 10 minutes after we left.

Did we miss the official FO?

No you did not miss the FO posting of Wicked. She has been done and worn 4 days this week since she was finished. Basically she was worn every day that she was not drying from being blocked. I just had a minor problem with lighting. Monday was beautiful, but the weather went down hill from there. I was happily snuggled up on the couch this week with my knitting and a roaring fire. Today was the first time that all the necessary factors happened together - good weather, a photographer and a model. I tried that self-timer thing. Not so good especially with a tripod that slips with every second that it is left alone.

Pattern: Wicked , worsted-weight version by Zephyr Style
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted 3 skeins (100g/216 yds) in Burgundy. (100% merino wool)
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony US 8

Mods: Well not many, but a few for fit. I knit the size 32-35" for my 39" bust. Yes that massive amount of negative ease looks fabulous on me. I have tried many different formulas over the past year and this one works the best. It also explains why all my guesses of what size I was when I started knitting sweaters worked out. I added short rows to accommodate my DD friends on my front side and wrote a tutorial. I switched skeins of yarn every round. If I had wanted less pooling, I should have switched between all 4 of the skeins that I used. I knit in the optional waist and hip shaping plus added the pocket. Because my hips are wider than the patterns recommendation, I did an extra set of increases to get to the next size hip circumference. I also did not stitch down the sides of the pocket because I felt the opening was a bit small for my liking.

Facts to remember: My hips like as much negative ease as my bust so I should not have added the extra hip increases. Also my seed stitch gauge is so much off from my ribbing or stockinette gauge that I need to remember to go down a needle size or two to maintain an even gauge. My seed stitch flares and might as well have been another set of hip increases.

Things I Love: I love the feel of the Malabrigo; I am so happy I chose this yarn for this sweater. I love the pocket. I was a little unsure about if it would add visual weight to my tummy. Not so, it snuggles in nicely and does not distract and adds some nice visual interest plus it distracts the viewers of where skeins 1 & 2 ended and skeins 3 & 4 started. I never want to take off this sweater. It has been worn with jeans and a t-shirt and then dressed up the next night for a fundraiser dinner where I dressed up. This wicked is definitely better behaved than my drunken brawling mohair wicked.

FO Friday: FO block gone

I have 2 FOs to show you today. Hopefully I can add the Big Green Monster to this pile before the weekend ends. My goal is Sunday night when bud gets on the plane back to SpoVegas.

In order of completion,

Pattern: Firebrick mittens (ravelry link)
Yarn: Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool Colorway: Ruby River 1/2 skein (100% wool) and Dale of Norway/Dalegarn Baby Ull color: Black 1/2 skein (100% superwash wool)
Needles: US 2 1/2 (3.00mm) Knitpicks Harmony Fixed Circular
Mods: Well since I created these, they are a mod. I am in love with my mittens and sad that I will be sending them on tomorrow morning to their mitten swap partner. I do know that I will soon have another pair for myself since I think I have enough left to make myself a pair with the leftovers. Once I got this pattern hammered out, it took me a little less than a week, but this was my fastest design time from start to finish (a week and a half). I am finishing up the pattern and sending off the stuff to the test knitters to look over and work on. One of them has to finish up another test knit for me so we will wait to see this pattern in full production but I am thinking it will be for sale in June.

Click the pic to read the importance of the flowers

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat (project page) by Jared Flood
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted Colorway: Glazed Carrot 1/2 skein (100% HandspuMerino)
Needles: US 6 Knitpicks Harmony Interchangeables Magic Looped
Mods: None. I did knit this in the large. In the picture, it is a bit short but I blocked it and today it was the perfect fit. I love the yarn before blocking but fell in love after blocking.

I leave you with the Bun approving the Carrots.

Wrangling a bunny is not as easy as you would think. He was more interested in the unfamiliar surroundings than his favorite snack. Silly Wrabbit.

FO Friday - by a nose

This was hard. I needed this finished object and I worked for it. Man it is not good to be without an actually finished object for this long. Hopefully this new month will be better. So here is my new years project started 31 days and 12 hours before its finish right before midnight on the 1st of day of Project Sprectrum 3. Those of you who visit the blog might have noticed a color change. Do you like it? It is to celebrate PS3 starting. This month and next are Fire: red, orange and pink. Those who know me well. Know I love orange. I even have an orange bedroom. Pumpkin to be exact. The only squashy thing other than pumpkin pie that churchable cares to partake in.

Pattern: Twisted Flower by Cookie A (ravelry project link)
Yarn: ChickChick Studio Toes in the grass 1 skein 100 grams = 460 yds (60% superwash merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon) Colorway: Olive Oil [Gifted to me by my SP11 pal]
Needles: Knitpicks US 1 (2.50 mm) circulars until Mr Bun cut the cable then DPNs.
Mods: I love these socks. They are stunning. They are show stoppers. They make my day. I loved the flow of the pattern. It was super easy to memorize. The first sock, I needed to check every once in a while. The second sock only needed a glance at the cable on the foot, the rest was smooth sailing. I knit this exactly to specs with only one tiny mod. I kept the purl stitches all the way to the toe. On one toe I grafted in st st and the other in reverse st st. Can you tell which one in the very first photo? If so is one better than the other? If not I will go change to the st st because it oddly feels better.

Weekend Review - the missing FO

Churchable is trying to fix the silver brick, which is what he did while I knit a hat.

Since churchable was going skiing and I had slipped two balls of yarn in his stocking for Christmas destine to be a ski hat, I knew I had to whip up a hat super quick. After knitting a bit on Arwen, I put her aside and start knitting the Short Row Hat (pdf), but got frustrated when I got lost in the design. Please forgive me but I wanted a quick pattern that could be on his head in a day. So by friday afternoon, I had ripped out that puppy and cast on for a Zeebee.

Pattern: Zeebee by Schmeebot
Yarn: Jo-Ann Debbie Mumm Traditions 1 skein (75% Acrylic, 23% Wool, 2% Other)Color 08
Needles: US 5 DPNs
Mods: I cast on 39 st and each eighth of the pattern was 26 rows wide. This was a fun pattern. Churchable liked if but felt it was not as warm as his other hat so I will have to knit this at a tighter gauge. I have one more skein of this yarn.

Weekend Wrap-up - Seattle Addition

Edited to add: Don't forget I will be in Seattle for till Wednesday

The sun was shining but the air was brisk and clear yesterday. It was so lovely. Unfortunately we stayed within the confines of our friend's house working on this.

The weekend has been a bit busier with a long wedding and a missed trip to the store on Friday night. So we have not gotten as far as we would have liked. We had hoped to be putting the grout in tonight but alas we just put in the plumbing last night. I got to use the propane torch to connect the brass fittings together. It was alot of fun. Today was spent getting the wall board fitted and connected to the wall. Now it looks like this.

On the knitting front, my socks are flying because I have only had time to knit while standing in line or for short bits. I really need to sit down and work on the cardigan. I have been hooked up with both my swap patterns that I will be knitting for in the next couple of months. Don't forget that you have another week to post a comment to get into the yarn contest.

I have missed posting FOs the last month or so. So let me share with you my small bit of delving into the dark side:

Pattern: Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick (ravelry link) from the Spring 2007 Interweave Crochet
Yarn:Ellie's Ewe Hues MemenToes (100% superwash merino) 490 yds in 100gram skein in Clover & Honey
Crochet Hook: G hook
Mods: I did 26 repeats instead of 16 repeats of the main motif. I also did not do the border because I felt that it was too thick of a border.

Back to recover and then we leave again

I left you last as we headed to Spo Vegas. I was supposed to drive since churchable got off work that morning at 7 AM. I was none too sure of the path we had chosen since every time I turned on the TV or radio the announcers were going on about the severe weather warning in the Columbia Gorge due to icy conditions. I finally decided that I would drive through Seattle even though it would take us a bit longer. I was glad since only the pass was snowy and the rest of the way was clear.

We celebrated Christmas with churchable's family. Everyone was there and had been there for a few days when we arrived. I knit most of the gifts. Two of the gifts were not done. One was the Cardigan for Arwen for Bud (churchable's little sister) and a hat from left over yarn for Frog Boy. Frog Boy's hat was finished before they left. So let me proceed with a run down of my Christmas knitting.

Pattern: Surplice Lace Top by Gayle Bunn
Recipient: Si - my sister-in-law
Yarn: Knit Picks Cotlin 7 skeins (70% cotton, 30% linen) yds in 50gram balls in Island Coral
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) circular for the garter stitch edging and US 5 (3.75 mm) circular for rest of the sweater
Completion: September 19th (started first weekend in August)
Mods: I knit this in a smaller size so as to fit Si. The finished garment came out at 32" bust. I had to redo the sleeves since they did not fit. I knit them in the second largest size and they were perfect.
Reaction: She loved it. This picture above is of her right before she left for the airport to fly to Calit. It was a perfect fit in bust and length. I am so happy.

Pattern: my own

Recipient: my brother in law (he needs an online name or I will start calling him BIL)
Yarn: Zen String Serindipity Sport 1 1/4 skeins (100% superwash merino) 241 yds in 113gram skein in Ben
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) circular for the sole of the foot and US 2 1/2 (3.0 mm) circular for the ribbing
Completion: December 30th (started sometime in the middle of November)
Mods: I needed to create something that did not stripe but pooled more so I got thin stripes and then messed them up with a slip stitch rib pattern.
Reaction: He loved them. They fit great and he is wear testing them to let me know if the purl bumps bother him.

Pattern: my own

Recipient: Dog Boy - 2 yr old nephew
Yarn: Zen String Serindipity Sport 1/3 skein (100% superwash merino) 241 yds in 113gram skein in Ben
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) circular
Completion: January 2nd (started these right after I finished the first adult sock)
Mods: I did a toe up tube sock so that he could wear these socks for longer.
Reaction: So cute. I loved them. We put them on for pictures and then took them off again. He started crying because he wanted to wear the socks. He wore them all the next day too. I think this guy will be getting more hand knit items in his future.

Pattern: my own
Recipient: Frog Boy
Yarn: Zen String Serindipity Sport 1/2 skein (100% superwash merino) 241 yds in 113gram skein in Ben
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs
Completion: started and finished on January 4th
Mods: I made a simple rolled brim hat in a small adult size with a I-cord knot on top
Reaction: He tolerated trying it on and having his picture taken but did not like it because he already had a camo hat. Oh well you can't win them all.

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jared Flood

Recipient: Dog Boy
Yarn: Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca 4-ply Worsted 3/4 skein (100% alpaca) 102 yds in a 50gram ball in brown (discontinued)
Needles:
Completion: December 5th (I started it on December 1st)
Mods: CO 80sts. Knit 3 repeats high and did crown decreasing as written. I think it will fit will. It can stretch to about a 23" head and his should be much smaller.
Reaction: He was not as thrilled with this one. He really wanted to wear his brother's hat since it matched his socks. He recognized this while I was knitting his brother's hat.

Now there was nothing for my father-in-law that was knit since I did not think he would use socks, gloves, hats or a scarf that I knit him. When I told him this he replied in the affirmative that this was correct but that he would wear a sweater. So after a short pointed Q & A session I figured out that he would be interested in a button down cardigan in a soft but not too soft wool. So I jumped on Ravelry (what would we have done with out it) and looked up Brooklyn Tweed's project page and picked a few things and then paged through the men's cardigan patterns. After few hundred, I narrowed it down to 6 patterns. It was time to get the Car Man's opinion. He really like 3 of them, which are Blue Garter's EZ Aran Fishtrap Cardigan (ravelry link), Brooklyn Tweed's Jarrett, and Brooklyn Tweed's Saddle Shoulder Aran Cardigan . So we start the adventure in creating the Car Man a cardigan - maybe it will go with his car style. We will be making all the choices together. I did inform him that this cardigan would take me two years to make because I did not want to burn out and he is a tall man.

The Christmas report is done and that brings me to telling you that I will be leaving again on Thursday. Churchable has a college buddy getting married this weekend and we are finally going to fulfill a wedding promise to one of his college roommates. We plan on spending a good part of the weekend and next week remodeling his college roommate's bathtub and surround. If you are in Seattle I will be just on the other side of I-5 listening to the buzz of traffic from the Weaving Works. If you want to meet for coffee or to knit I am always game.

Then it is off to Spo Vegas again for churchable's annual camp in the snow with your friends and shoot black powder guns at each other in the cold cold wilds of Washington. I plan on spending the time with a girlfriend up there doing girlie stuff and staying very warm.